Free The Good Luck Charm (The Good Luck Series) by Leanne Tyler Page B

forgiving mood at the moment. She couldn’t forget what he’d done. “I don’t know if we can be friends, Darren, without our relationship causing a problem for others. We work for competing agencies.”
    “I know Jama doesn’t have a problem with me seeing you.”
    “Why would she? I can be a valuable asset to Wright and Associates. And that is where Jackson and Jackson would object to our relationship. It could get sticky.”
    “Then leave them and come to work for Wright and Associates.”
    Keely laughed, but stopped when he didn’t crack a smile. “You can’t be serious?”
    “I’m dead serious.”
    She shook her head, turned and walked down the stairs from the balcony.
    “At least give it some thought,” he called, running to catch up with her once they reached the atrium. “I don’t want this to be the end.”
    Outside the theater, she stopped and studied him. She didn’t want this to be the end for them either, but she couldn’t risk her job. She had to support herself. She didn’t have the luxury of relying on family. Or a husband . That thought weighed heavy on her mind for a moment and she regretted even thinking  it.
    Taking a deep breath she shook her head. “I’ve worked hard to build a career with Jackson and Jackson. Why would I want to leave?”
    To be with me was on the tip of his tongue, but instead he said, “Jama would never make you work with a client like Prescott just to keep his business. She cares more for her executives than that.”
    For an instant, she looked shocked that he knew about her dealing with Prescott. Seeing the struggle in her eyes, he decided to cut his losses while he still could.
    “You take care, Keely Jones.”
    She swallowed and nodded. “You too, Darren.”
    She turned and as he watched her walk away, a lump formed in his throat making it difficult to swallow. His chest tightened almost as if a hand had reached into his soul and clenched his heart for the second time in a week. Damn, but this wasn’t the way things should have turned out.

Chapter Ten
     
    Keely worried for the next two weeks over her decision not to pursue a friendship with Darren. Every time she thought she’d convinced herself she’d made the right choice, she’d think up a counter point and question her reasoning all over again. Or the gris-gris would turn freezing cold against her chest, driving her crazy.
    She tried calling Lucinda in New York, but she couldn’t reach the woman after her speedy tour of Europe. Lucinda had promised to call when she got back in the U.S., but hadn’t. Keely hoped that didn’t mean anything was wrong. She didn’t think she could handle losing Lucinda too.
    Finishing her jog with Duke, Keely turned quickly hearing a whistle. Looking up, she saw Darren squatting down, calling to the dog. Duke glanced sideways at her with woeful eyes as if he were asking permission.
    “Go ahead,” she relented, taking off his leash. She swatted him on the hindquarters and he lumbered across the green space, picking up speed.
    “So you miss him too?” she said softly to herself as she watched the dog lick Darren on the cheek. Her voice caught in her throat and her eyes began to sting. She turned away, unable to watch them any longer.
    Blinking, she forced the tears to stay away. She’d become so emotional lately she didn’t understand it. Her stress level had lowered. Things at work had improved. Prescott had heard about her dating the competition and decided she was a risk, so he’d requested to work solely with Edward and Tate. If another client had done this she’d be upset, but it had been a relief to all of them. She just hoped she’d be able to regain her employers’ trust in time.
    Getting a bottle of water out of her car, she leaned against the side and watched Darren get reacquainted with the dog. Duke flopped down, rolled onto his side and stuck his legs up in the air, anticipating a tummy rub. His tail thumped the ground.
    Keely took a long